Lot 888
Union Private's Biographical Mss & Wooden Spoon & Ring Carved In Danville Prison. Eleven pages penned by Pvt. Thomas. H. Capern on "Camp 4th N.Y. vols. (col. Birney)" letterhead (near Falmouth, Va., May 1863) signed with initials "H.T.H.C." He was captured at Gaines Mill and spent time at Libby Prison and Belle Isle. After being paroled, he was captured again at Winchester (after he wrote this), and imprisoned at Danville, and possibly Andersonville. The manuscript describes what he has seen, mostly as a prisoner, and how his Baptist faith got him through his ordeals. With a spoon that is 7½ in. long and 15/8 in. wide, marked on the handle: "Made in Danville Prison, Va. Sep. [?] 1864." Attached with period string to the handle is a small wooden ring, also made by Capern at Danville. The bowl of the spoon has been colored-in with pencil lead, likely by a child, else very good. Such identified relics are rarely encountered today. With an authenticating note by the granddaughter of Capern's brother.
Estimated Value $400 - 600.
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